Sociology / Unit 4 Soc 0443 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Pastoral Societies
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The idea
Pastoral societies subsist by domesticating and herding animals, producing a surplus that permits larger populations, trade, and the first specialized occupations.
In practice
A family with more cattle than its neighbors can trade, lend, and command favors none of them can.
Where people slip
The common error is assuming inequality is a timeless constant, or that herding societies were poorer than farming ones.
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